Creating buzz: Electric scooters, bikes rev up in Downtown Jacksonville

The announcement is creating buzz in Duval County

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Who’s ready to scoot?

The City of Jacksonville officially launched a one-year pilot program for e-scooters, e-bicycles and dockless bicycles in Downtown Jacksonville on Thursday.

Locals and visitors can rent and ride these electric scooters via smartphone applications. Prices among the vendors are competitive and vary between companies. As an example, one company charges riders $1 to unlock a scooter and then $0.30 per minute.

“This program is yet another step toward reclaiming options for pedestrians and bicyclist Downtown by providing healthy, viable and environmentally sustainable transportation alternatives,” The City of Jacksonville said.

Council Member LeAnna Cumber said the scooters will provide a modern, efficient and fun way for people to access small businesses in the area.

“I’m so excited that Micromobility has come to Downtown Jacksonville,” Cumber said. “These vehicles provide a modern, efficient and fun way to get around downtown. It has truly been a great partnership between all the stakeholders to bring this to fruition. I can’t wait to ride my first scooter here in Jacksonville!”

Scooters can be rented and dropped off 24/7 at 35 designated, geofenced corrals on the sidewalk and out of the way of pedestrians, parked cars or other users.

Dockless Mobility Program Vendors include: Blue Duck, Helbiz, LINK and SPIN.

Each company will deploy 100 electric scooters for a total of 400, all operating within the Dockless Mobility Zone (DMZ).

This will be the Blue Duck’s first market in that state.

“We are excited to to partner with the City of Jacksonville,” Megan McNamara, Blue Duck’s Senior Director of Partnerships, said.”

Here’s a map for the proposed “Dockless Mobility Zone” in Downtown Jacksonville.

Here’s a map for the proposed “Dockless Mobility Zone.”

The DMZ boundary encompasses much of what is known as the central core, extending east to the TIAA Bank Field and west to the Duval County Courthouse, and includes an additional, narrow path to JTA’s Jacksonville Regional Transportation Center

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About the Authors:

Zachery “Zach” Lashway anchors KPRC 2+ Now. He began at KPRC 2 as a reporter in October 2021.